For millions of users, WhatsApp is the main channel for daily communication.both personally and professionally. In Spain and much of Europe, many interactions with family, work, businesses, or schools now take place through this messaging app.
Meta, the company that owns the service, has confirmed that starting from January 2026 The app will stop working in a extensive list of old mobile phonesThis is not an isolated failure or a device error, but an update to technical requirements that will force the obsolescence of phones that cannot meet the new security and performance demands.
This decision is part of the platform's standard policy: focus development on more modern systemscapable of supporting advanced encryption, AI-powered features, and new data protection tools. Mobile phones that no longer receive updates from their manufacturers are gradually falling below this minimum standard.
According to cybersecurity experts and data handled by the industry itself, Systems without recent patches significantly increase the risk of attacksFrom malware to identity theft, WhatsApp is a threat. Therefore, it periodically reviews its "blacklist" of devices and systems that are no longer compatible.
In practice, those who keep one of these phones will see how The application closes on its own, stops sending messages, or displays constant notifications. that it is no longer possible to continue using it, with no real solution option if the operating system cannot be updated.
Why WhatsApp will stop working on some phones in January 2026
The underlying reason is technical: WhatsApp requires a minimally updated operating system This allows for the application of its latest security measures and the features it incorporates. Maintaining compatibility with very old versions hinders development and complicates support.
Mobile phones launched more than a decade ago feature limited hardware and outdated systems which no longer receive official updates. This means they cannot reliably integrate the latest encryption layers, nor defend themselves as effectively against known vulnerabilities.
Meta insists that cannot guarantee data protection When using very old versions of Android or iOS. Some studies cited by specialists indicate that, on unsupported devices, the probability of experiencing a security breach can skyrocket, precisely because the necessary patches are not received.
Furthermore, these devices often suffer unexpected crashes, slow performance, and compatibility errors with new app features. In the medium term, this translates into more incidents, a worse user experience, and greater difficulty in providing effective technical support.
Therefore, WhatsApp sets minimum requirements and, when a model cannot meet them, you are automatically excluded from the servicehowever well it may still work for other day-to-day tasks.
WhatsApp minimum requirements as of January 2026
From mid-January 2026, the application will require two basic conditions according to the operating systemIf your phone can't reach these versions, sooner or later you'll lose access.
Talking about AndroidThe official requirement will be to have at least Android Lollipop 5.0 or a later version. Any device running an earlier version will no longer be supported.
In the case of iPhoneWhatsApp will require at least iOS 15.1Models that cannot be updated to that operating system, due to technical limitations or the end of Apple's support, will no longer be able to use the app.
It's important to know that It's not enough for the phone to be relatively modernThe determining factor is the version of the operating system installed and whether the manufacturer continues to offer updates for that model.
From the user's perspective, this will mean that You will not be able to install newer versions of WhatsAppAnd over time, the app will either stop opening or function very erratically, until it finally stops working. If your phone it cannot reach these versionsSooner or later you'll lose access.
iPhones that will lose WhatsApp compatibility
Within the Apple ecosystem, the list of affected users is concentrated in models launched between 2012 and 2015, which no longer have access to iOS 15.1. Although many of them still work for calls, web browsing or simple apps, they will fall short for the current demands of WhatsApp.
Amongst the iPhones that will no longer be compatible The following are included in the application starting in January 2026:
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6
- 6 iPhone Plus
These devices will no longer be able to install or update the app, because They do not meet the iOS 15.1 requirementEven if WhatsApp is still working for now, it's only a matter of time before incompatibility warnings start appearing.
Meta usually activates an internal notification system within the application itself so that users receive several advance notices before the service becomes unavailable. These messages recommend updating the system or upgrading to a newer model.
In Spain and other European countries, it's common for these iPhones to continue circulating as second phones, company phones, or devices for minors. In all these cases, It's a good idea to check as soon as possible which version of iOS they have installed. and consider alternatives if it cannot be updated.
Android phones on which WhatsApp will stop working
The Android landscape is broader and more complex, because there are dozens of manufacturers and countless models. The general rule is clear: Any phone that does not reach Android 5.0 or higher will be excluded. from the courier service.
Among the most well-known models that will no longer be able to run the app officially are: terminals that were very popular at the time, such as:
- Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S4 Mini, S5, Note 2, Note 3, Core Prime and J2
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 4
- Motorola Moto G and first generation Moto E
- Huawei Ascend Mate, G740, D2 and P6
- LG Optimus L3, L5, L3 II, L3 II Dual, Optimus L7 II, F5, as well as the LG G3 and the Nexus 4
- HTC One M8 and HTC Desire 500
- Sony Xperia M
These are in addition to others Models released before 2014 that have not received the necessary updatesMany continue to circulate in secondary markets or as emergency phones, but the inability to install a recent version of Android automatically leaves them without official WhatsApp support.
In some rare cases, a manufacturer may have released a specific update that allows you to reach Android 5.0, but usually that Older mobile phones remain stuck on previous versions, with no real option of meeting the requirement.
Anyone who tries to continue using WhatsApp on these devices will notice over time Frequent crashes, file upload failures, and login problemsuntil the app stops opening altogether or disappears from the official stores for that model.
How to tell if your mobile phone is at risk
Checking if your phone will still be compatible is relatively simple and requires no technical knowledge: Simply check the operating system version. from the device settings.
On a mobile phone Android, the usual steps are:
- open the menu Settings o Configuration.
- Enter section About of the phone or similar.
- Find the section Android version and write down the number that appears.
If that number is less than Android 5.0 And if the manufacturer no longer offers new versions for your device, it's almost certain that WhatsApp will stop working from January 2026.
In a iPhoneThe process is very similar:
- Ir a Settings.
- Access to General.
- Walk into Information.
- Check the field Software version, where the installed iOS version appears.
If the device cannot install iOS 15.1 or laterThe app will no longer be available sometime during 2026. Attempting to force its use will result in constant errors and increased exposure to security issues.
What will happen when your mobile phone is no longer compatible?
The process is not usually a sudden cut from one day to the next, but a gradual transition. WhatsApp will start displaying messages within the app warning that the device will no longer be compatible with future versions.
As the deadline approaches, the user may notice that No updates are coming from Google Play or the App StoreIn other cases, the application stops opening, closes automatically, or simply prevents you from logging into your account.
At a certain point, the service becomes blocked on those models and It is no longer possible to send or receive messages, make calls, or access chat history. from that phone. Even if the number remains active, the account will need to be logged in on a compatible device.
It's best not to wait until the last day, because The problems can start weeks before of the final cut, especially in very outdated versions of the app.
How to protect your chats and photos before the deadline
If your mobile phone is on the affected list or cannot reach the minimum required version, the most important step is back up your conversations and files before the service stops working.
On phones AndroidThe usual option is to use Google Drive as a backup system:
- Open WhatsApp and enter Configuration.
- Access the section Cat.
- Select Backup and choose the Google account where the data will be saved.
- Start a manual copy and wait for the process to finish.
En iPhoneThe copy is made using iCloud Similarly:
- Open the application and enter Configuration.
- Ir a Cat and then to Backup.
- Connect to your iCloud account and activate backup.
- Force an immediate backup to ensure everything is saved.
With this copy, when you change your mobile phone you will be able to restore your conversations and media files on the new device, as long as you use the same phone number and the same associated account.
Options if your mobile phone runs out of WhatsApp
Once it's confirmed that you can no longer use the app on your current phone, the real alternatives are limited. The experts' main recommendation is consider upgrading to a newer device that more than meets the new requirements.
In the case of Android, it might be interesting to opt, budget permitting, for a model with at least Android 10 or higherThis will increase the likelihood of receiving updates for many more years. For those who prefer iPhones, the ideal choice is a device that will continue to receive iOS updates without issues.
Until that change arrives, some users are opting for try other messaging apps that continue to function on outdated systems. However, in Europe and Spain, the majority of personal and professional contacts still use WhatsApp, so this solution could create more communication complications.
Whatever the decision, it is advisable Notify family, friends, and work groups If you are going to change your number or device, to avoid misunderstandings and messages getting lost along the way.
Although it may be annoying to have to retire a mobile phone that still turns on without problems, these measures respond to the same objective: improve safety, stability and functions of a platform that has become a key part of the digital lives of millions of people.
